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Pua Po'o, Hawai'i (the Big Island)

Pua Po'o is a lava tube in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This lava tube is only available to a small group of 12 every Wednesday led by a Ranger. You have to call one week prior to your trip to secure a spot, and it's very difficult to play the phone game to get in. Although I really dislike guided stuff, I can't recommend this enough. We were lucky enough to get a Ranger who was a expert in local biology, which added to the experience immensely.

The white, reflective stuff is bacteria that has some promise for cancer research

Exit into lush rainforest

"Powder snow skiing is not fun. It is life, fully lived, life lived in a blaze of reality. What we experience in powder is the original human self, which lies deeply inside each of us, still undamaged in spite of what our present culture tries to do to us. Once experienced, this kind of living is recognized as the only way to live

That exit looks like it's been used in film a lot, more recently the latest Pirates movie?

Possibly. The Big Island is criss-crossed by hundreds of lava tubes like this, so it could have been several other places.

"Powder snow skiing is not fun. It is life, fully lived, life lived in a blaze of reality. What we experience in powder is the original human self, which lies deeply inside each of us, still undamaged in spite of what our present culture tries to do to us. Once experienced, this kind of living is recognized as the only way to live

Heading to the big island in april. Any suggestions for hikes, beaches, adventures off of the beaten path?

Thanks

Where are you staying? I've been all over the Big Island over several trips. Absolute highlights include Mauna Kea and/or Mauna Loa, Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park, Waipio and/or Pololu Valley, A Bay, a day in Puna, etc. You probably have lodging lined up, but I always spend half my trip just outside HVNP in Volcano Village and then the rest in Waimea (Kamuela) because it's a nice town and it's very centrally located between lots of stuff to cut down on driving. If you let me know where you're staying I can give a bunch of suggestions.

"Powder snow skiing is not fun. It is life, fully lived, life lived in a blaze of reality. What we experience in powder is the original human self, which lies deeply inside each of us, still undamaged in spite of what our present culture tries to do to us. Once experienced, this kind of living is recognized as the only way to live

Pahoa:
- Find the Kahena Black Sand Beach (clothes-optional and the surf is very intense here)
- East Point - easternmost point of the island. Just park anywhere and hike in either direction along sea cliffs
- Mauna Kea / Mauna Loa - climbing one of these is always on our agenda. Otherwordly. Mauan Kea has an ancient basalt quarry you can visit if you can find it.
- Hawaii Volcanoes Natl Park - I always spend at least 3 days here. Do the touristy crap first because it's actually worth it. Try for the lava tube hike described above. Make sure you head toward Jaggar's museum for night lava viewing in Halema'uma'u crater. Or, if you hit the jackpot, do real night lava viewing if Pu'u O'o is going off.

Here are some general suggestions for "off the beaten path:"

- Anything on Mauna Loa or Mauna Kea
- Waimanu Valley - steep, long hike to an amazing valley, usually a backpack
- Pololu Valley to Honokane Nui
- Green Sand Beach - near south point
- A Bay (more of a locals spot)
- There are lots of petroglyphs around the mega-resorts in Kona. It's annoying to visit because they are on golf courses and resorts, but some amazing stuff to be found.
- Mo'okini Heaiu: well-preserved human sacrifice temple. Near Opulu airport. Extremely creepy spot, go late afternoon for good sun.
- Kau Desert - In HVNP, but seldom visited is this acid-rain created lava desert.

The best beach I've ever seen in my life is Hapuna Beach. Find the "Hapuna Beach Prince" (I think) and park in their public parking. Every beach in Hawaii is state land, and hotels almost always have to give to access.

Get the "Blue Book" guidebook from Andrew Doughty. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good.

"Powder snow skiing is not fun. It is life, fully lived, life lived in a blaze of reality. What we experience in powder is the original human self, which lies deeply inside each of us, still undamaged in spite of what our present culture tries to do to us. Once experienced, this kind of living is recognized as the only way to live